Polenta with Artichokes

The summer of 1947 was so very hot that one of the citizens of La Balme was able to grow a whole field of artichokes; those not consumed were allowed to grow to the most gorgeous purple flowers I have ever seen, even in Provence; this is how those that did not reach the flower stage were served to us. You can substitute frozen artichokes; trim the tips of the leaves a bit, as they can be tough.